Sweet Liberties

In November 2015 the English Folk Dance and Song Society (EFDSS) teamed up with Folk by the Oak for Sweet Liberties. The commission was launched at an exclusive event at the Speaker's House, and then went on to tour in Cambridge, Bury, Cardiff, Bristol, London and Gateshead. It will culminate in a performance at Folk by the Oak festival in July 2016.

The Houses of Parliament's 2015 Anniversaries Programme commissioned EFDSS to come up with a project to celebrate a year rich in constitutional anniversaries, including 800 years since the sealing of Magna Carta and 750 years since the Simon de Montfort parliament.

The artists

Martyn Joseph, Nancy Kerr, Sam Carter and Maz O’Connor with Patsy Reid and Nick Cooke were given the opportunity to delve into the archives at Parliament and the Vaughan Williams Memorial Library, to take a musical journey exploring the pursuit of democracy and the events that have made a difference to our liberties.

The launch

Sweet Liberties was previewed and launched at a special event at the Speaker's House in the Palace of Westminster.

The shows

In 2015, Sweet Liberties toured nationwide at the following venues:

Tues 24th November - Cambridge Junction

Wed 25th November - Colston Hall, Bristol

Thu 26th November - The Met, Bury

Fri 27th November - St David's Hall, Cardiff

Sat 28th November - Cecil Sharp House, London

Sun 29th November - Sage Gateshead

The final performance will be at Folk by the Oak festival in July 2016. Buy tickets here.

In the press

Read about Sweet Liberties in 'Not talkin' bout a revolution: Where are all the protest songs?' on The Guardian here.

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